TasP, PEP and PrEP: what does it mean in HIV prevention?
TasP: Therapy as Prevention. If you have HIV, it is important to start treatment with HIV medication (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Chems and Consent
Using chems can reduce your inhibitions. This is (for some) part of the reason for engaging in chemsex. One risk of using chems (especially ‘G’) is becoming unconscious when overdosed.
STDs and chemsex
Syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common sexually transmitted diseases among gay and bi men.
How to minimize risks during the event?
Keep track of your chem use during the event. Writing this information down is helpful to both you and others.
How do you prepare for a chemsex event?
During the event, you will likely be under the influence of chems, making it difficult for you to think clearly and more likely to engage in risky behavior.
How do you handle the comedown?
Keep in mind that it is normal to feel a little down in the days following a chem event. This is because the chems have caused your brain to reject most of the feel-good chemicals
Safe(er) slamming
In the chemsex scene, slamming is becoming more common. Chems like Tina (crystal meth), 3-MMC, ketamine, cocaine, mephedrone and other (new) substances are inserted with a needle before or during sex.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
Nieuwe Psychoactieve Stoffen is de verzamelnaam voor een groep van nieuwe drugs. Vaak worden ze ook benoemd als ‘legal highs’ of ‘research chemicals’.
In case of emergency
In most cases, the use of chems is related to pleasure, however, (mis)use can sometimes provoke side effects that can lead to serious intoxications.
Polydrugsgebruik (mengen van chems)
Polydrug use (or polysubstance use) refers to the use of combined psychoactive substances to achieve a particular effect.